Drivers hunt for gas as power remains spotty

Drivers patrolled streets looking for gas and faced long waits at stations that had power to pump Friday in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Some stations were out of gas, but at others clerks said they had gas but no power to pump it.

At the Magnolia Discount Gas Station in New Orleans' Carrollton neighborhood, employee Gadeaon Fentessa said up to 50 drivers an hour were pulling in, hopeful they could pump. He had the gas, but no power.

In the surrounding neighborhood, crews were clearing downed trees and working on power lines. But power appeared to be hop-scotched with some blocks on and some without electricity.

It was a common experience around coastal Louisiana and Mississippi as the first steps in the recovery from Isaac kicked in.

Baton Rouge police say at least 16 people have been arrested on violation of a parish-wide curfew that went into effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, and six others were arrested and accused of looting during Hurricane Isaac.

Cpl. L'Jean McKneely tells The Advocate five people were arrested and booked with looting a grocery store.

Authorities said they used the looting count in arresting people Wednesday and Thursday for break-ins and similar crimes because the parish was in a state of emergency. Police say such incidents were not widespread.